Waterford man who had pit bulls, alligator and marijuana plants pleads guilty on two counts WITH VIDEO

Flanked by his attorney Frances Finnegan (left), Paul Coombs, center, of Waterford pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts involving having an alligator and a pit bull Jan. 9. Waterford Township Prosecutor Walt Bedell (right) described the details of the plea agreement before Judge Jodi Debbrecht in 51st District Court. (The Oakland Press/CAROL HOPKINS)

A Waterford man charged with possessing an alligator, pit bulls and marijuana pleaded guilty to two counts Wednesday.

Paul D. Coombs, 28, pleaded guilty in 51st District Court before Judge Jodi Debbrecht to owning a pit bull and harboring an exotic animal. He had been charged with four misdemeanor counts connected with having four pit bulls.

The dogs have been removed from Waterford Township, officials said. The township has outlawed pit bulls by ordinance since 1989. Coombs said in court he didn't realize owning the dogs was illegal.

The 2.5-foot-long alligator was euthanized, officials said.

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Coombs, a medical marijuana cardholder, also pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana in an amount exceeding the allowed amounts.

Officials said police found 24 marijuana plants and Coombs was permitted to have 12 plants.

The incident occurred Oct. 3 when Waterford Township police officers responded to a suspicious circumstances complaint to find a man had -- among other things -- an alligator living in his basement.

At the home near West End and Boston roads just west of Telegraph and south of Elizabeth Lake Road, police found the front door had been left open but they couldn't make contact with anyone inside.

After deciding to enter, the officers searched the house and found the alligator in a wooden crate in the basement.

Along with the alligator, they also found 24 marijuana plants and four pit bulls.

The homeowner's roommate came back a short time later and called the homeowner, Paul Coombs. When Coombs arrived, he admitted the alligator, marijuana and pit bulls were his, police said. Coombs was cited and released at the scene.

Authorities called Oakland County Animal Control, who removed the alligator and pit bulls from the house.

Referring to the marijuana, Coombs' attorney Arnold Weiner said Coombs had his patient card and had been accepted by the state to become a caregiver.

"He wasn't a marijuana grower who was using dogs (as protection)," he said.

"This was a young man being in full compliance. He didn't get the (caregiver) card in time and jumped the gun. Because of the peculiarity of the medical marijuana laws, he got caught between the cracks."

Contact Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com. Follow her on Twitter @OPCarolHopkins or on Facebook @OPcarolhopkins.